Former Green Bay Packers linebacker D.J. Smith has signed with the San Diego Chargers. He was waived by the Packers on Wednesday. File/Gannett Wisconsin Media

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Less than 24 hours after the Green Bay Packers announced that they had waived the third-year inside linebacker, Smith has caught on with the San Diego Chargers, his agent Lamont Smith announced on Twitter before Thursday’s NFL draft.

A sixth-round pick in 2011, Smith was in the midst of his rehabilitation from a torn knee ligament he sustained Oct. 14 against Houston when news broke Wednesday that he and running back Brandon Saine had been let go.

Both players failed their physical, but that’s not uncommon this time of year given the point of their rehab.

Smith's agent told Press-Gazette Media on Wednesday the Packers left the door open for a return at some point, but “indicated there was something they needed to create some space for.”

The decision to waive Smith is perplexing given he’d taken over the starting job in the Packers’ lineup after Desmond Bishop tore his hamstring in the preseason. He was only scheduled to make $550,000 this season with a salary cap number was just $580,788.

Historically, the Packers have stood by injured prospects like defensive tackle Justin Harrell, linebacker Frank Zombo and offensive tackle Derek Sherrod, a first-round pick in 2011 who has only played in five NFL games after breaking his leg in two places toward the end of his rookie season.

However, the Packers must have found Smith to be expendable. Known for his tackling at Appalachian State, the 5-foot-11, 240-pound Smith fell to the Packers in 2011 draft in part because of his size.

The team expects Bishop back, re-signed Brad Jones and agreed to a restructured contract with A.J. Hawk. Jones and Hawk finished the season as the starting inside linebackers.